The Koons Activity Venue (KAV) was filled to capacity on Jan. 24 as more than 300 Elizabethtown College students gathered for one of the most anticipated events of the semester: The Office of Student Activities’ semi-annual Bingo Night.
The event drew students from across campus eager for an evening of games, prizes and community. Free and open to all Etown students, Bingo Night has become a tradition that many mark on their calendars weeks in advance.
By 7 p.m., a long line had already formed outside the KAV, stretching past Blue Bean and toward the stairs leading to the Bird Cage. Students waited patiently, holding their school IDs and chatting with friends, hoping to secure a spot before the venue reached capacity.
Once the doors opened, excitement filled the room. Every seat was quickly taken, and the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as students waited for the rules to be announced and the first numbers to be called.
“This is always one of the biggest events of the semester,” Avery Burke, a senior political science and public relations major and the lead organizer for the event, said. “Bingo is held once every semester, and this time we hit full capacity, which was great to see. It was my last time planning it, and I am really happy with how it turned out.”
The evening featured 15 rounds of bingo, each offering a different prize. Students competed for items ranging from LEGO sets and “Dancing with the Stars” tickets to gift cards, a sourdough starter kit, an Etown merchandise basket and a Polaroid camera. When more than one person called bingo, a tie-breaker round determined the winner, while the losing players received Jay Bucks as a consolation prize.
As numbers were drawn, laughter echoed throughout the room. Some students played multiple cards to increase their chances, while others saved their cards for rounds featuring prizes they wanted most. Even those who did not know each other before the event quickly bonded, helping check cards and cheering for strangers sitting at their tables.
For many students, the night was about more than winning. It was a chance to relax, meet new people and enjoy a shared experience at the start of the semester.
Sophomore Evan Kenny, a communications and political science major, walked away with a prize after finally calling bingo. “I am very happy to win,” Kenny said. “It was not the prize I was hoping for, but you cannot really choose what you get in bingo. I have never won before, so I will take it. That is just how the game goes.”
Others were simply thrilled to participate. Emmanuel Attah, a junior electrical engineering major, said the event was his first time playing bingo.
“It was exhilarating,” he said. “You could feel the adrenaline in the room. I definitely understand now why people get so into games like this.”
As the night went on, even students who arrived quietly began laughing and calling out numbers.
By the final rounds, many players had their cards spread out across tables and hoped for one last chance at a win.
Despite the competition, the mood remained lighthearted. Students congratulated winners, joked about near-misses and lingered around the room long after the final number was called.
For OSA, the success of the night reflected months of planning and a strong desire to create events that bring students together.
“This is our biggest event every semester,” Burke said. “If you missed it this time, definitely come next semester. It is always a fun time.”
As students filtered out of the KAV, some held prizes and others simply smiled from the experience. One thing was clear, Bingo Night once again delivered what it promised: excitement, connection and a break from the routine.
